The Arizona sentinel., 1887-08-20
HE WOULDN'T HEAR.

How Robin Was Taught to Always Come
 the First Time He Was Called
 Robin was the dearest sweetest, best little laddie that ever lived. At least, grandpa and grandma, Aunt Nell, Sister Grace and Cousin Lou said so on an average of a dozen times every day. and mamma was not inclined to dispute them.
 Occasionally, however, there were times when the aforesaid Robin was not quite so dear and sweet and good as usual.
 There was a great deal to be done at Robins house, and even he was ex- pected to help some. To be sure, there was not much that he could do. but he could take steps," as mamma called it, and run errands.
 You would naturally think that he would be glad to do as much as that for his dear, loving, hard-worked mother, wouldn't you? But l am sorry to say that, though Robin would trot from morning till night about his play or on his own errands. he had a very great aversion to taking steps for any one else.
 It made his mother feel very badly indeed.
 'I can not bear to think that my little Robin is selfish, :" she said to papa, but it certainly looks like it. He isn't really willing to do any thing for any body but himself "
 We shall have to teach him a les son in some way" said papa
 The next morning Robin was out in the wood-shed with E ldie Burt, play ing Daniel in the lions den." An empty coal-bi was the den, and Bruno was the lion.
 Mamma was in the kitchen, baking, and through the open door every now and then came fragrant whiffs that would have beguiled Robin in, only for the fear of being drafted into serv- ice.
 "Oh, dearr' exclaimed mamma, as she was stirring her spice cake (RObin was extremely fond of spice cake, by the way)-''oh. dear! my raisins aren't picked over, and I haven't a minute to spare"
 Gall Robin to do it." said papa, who happened to be in the kitchen just then. '.He can do it well enough, and as he will consume as much of the cake as any one. he had better lend hand toward the making"
 Robin, who heard every word of the conversation, looked at Eddie in dis may.
 You cut and run somewhere quick, and then you won't hear her if she does call, and I'll run home a few minutes" whispered Eddie from the den.
 Half minute later Eddie might have been seen slipping over the fence. and Robin whisked up the stairs into the little shed chamber.
 "Rpbinr' called mamma, coming to the .tchen door.
 But no Robin answered.
 'Tsob-inr' she called, again and again.
 There was no response.
 Then papa came out
 '.Robertr' he said. with very de- cided ring to his voice.
 But there was no answer to this call. either, as Robin was at that moment crouched upon the floor, with both fingers in his ears and an old blanket pulled tightly over his head.
 Papas face was very grave. He knew perfectly well that Robin had been there but moment ago, and he had shrewd suspicion as to the cause of his sudden disappearance.
 He could not have gotten out of the door without being seen; therefore, he must be up stairs.
 Papa went to the foot of the stairs.
 'Robinr' he called, very distinctly and clearly-so clearly that that young gentleman was almost afraid that he heard him. in spite of his pre- cautions.
 However, as he was not in the habit of answering the first time, even under ordinary circumstances. he did not think it best to respond now, under these rather extraordinary ones.
 T guess I'll have to answer next time, though" he thought If think l hear.'
 But papa did not call again; instead. he went quickly up the stairs, and turn ing the key, which was on the outside, went back again. Robins head came out from under his blanket and his fingers from out bis ears in twinkling.